The first pilot season of our new project in South Australia is well underway, and we would like to share some of the highlights so far!

Together with citizen scientists, over the next 3 years this project seeks to answer research questions about whether target species across the four fungi functional groups (plant partners, recyclers, parasites and lichens) can be used as indicators of bushland health and resilience. This research is a first for Australia, and will help us gain valuable insights into the importance of fungi in our local ecosystems.

Key achievements to date:

• 6 timed surveys held at 3 trial sites
• 31 citizen scientists involved
• 177 fungi records added to iNaturalist, with nearly 50% achieving Research Grade status
• lichens included as target fungi species for the first time in SA
• citizen scientists able to connect with mycology experts and other people with an interest in fungi

Trial methodology

In May, a robust trial survey methodology and data plan for the pilot project were developed with mycologists, ecologists and data analysts from the project team.

We undertook site visits of this year’s three trial sites, all stringybark (Eucalyptus obliqua) woodland ecosystems, and met with site partners from Hills Biodiversity, Trees for Life, and National Parks and Wildlife Service.

We chose 25 target species for the project from across the four fungi functional groups, and adapted or wrote species descriptions for these as well as developing a citizen scientist training pack.

Training day and first survey – Crafers West

On 22nd June we held our first training day and survey at the Willawilla site at Crafers West on Kaurna and Peramangk country. This is a private site, looked after by the Hills Biodiversity community group.

Uncle Ivan Tiwu-Copley gave a very special Welcome to Country, followed by the training session in fungi identification, functional groups, the target species and survey methodology.

We then tested the methodology at the first timed survey, with citizen scientists excelling in their ability to find and flag our target species, then record them to a project-specific Crafers West iNaturalist project.

Of our target species, we found the Golden-eye Lichen (Teloschistes chrysophthalmus) in abundance, as well as the parasitic White Punk (Laetiporus portentosus) and recycler Golden Splash Tooth (Phlebia subceracea). Too dry for many plant partner/mycorrhizal species to be out!

Substrate, canopy and habitat surveys

As well as surveying target fungi in two transects at each site (one in “good” condition and one in more “modified/disturbed” condition), we have simultaneously surveyed the substrate and canopy for each of our sub-transects, so that we can correlate bushland condition with fungi data.

The substrate surveys are randomised and capture tree, shrub and grass species as well as fine and coarse woody debris, leaf litter, moss, algal mat etc, which all provide rich data that will help answer our research questions. We are taking habitat photos and will also have habitat condition assessed by a contractor next year.

First survey – Lobethal

On 1st July we held the first survey at the Lobethal site, which is a Bush for Life site managed by Trees for Life volunteers at Lobethal Bushland Park, on Kaurna and Peramangk country.

The whole site burned in the 2019 Cudlee Creek bushfires, and our survey transects compare an area of higher quality bushland with a weedier, more disturbed area of bushland.

Our group of Trees for Life staff, volunteers, and citizen scientists undertook the timed surveys for target species. We were fascinated to see the difference in fungi between the two transects, with greater diversity and quantity of fungi overall in the better condition transect, but were only able to find one of our target recycler species which was prevalent in both areas – the Golden Splash Tooth (Phlebia subceracea). At this site we spent the extra recording time documenting other non-target species to the Lobethal iNaturalist project, some of which were able to be identified to species.

First survey – Deep Creek

On 6th July, citizen scientists came together to survey fungi in our two transects close to the Stringybark campground at Deep Creek National Park, Ngarrindjeri and Ramindjeri country.

At this site we are comparing a transect area that had a prescribed burn six years ago, with an area that has no recent fire history. We were struck by how rich in lichens the unburnt area was (including two of our target lichens, Cladia aggregata and Usnea inermis), and simultaneously how much richer in our target plant partner/mycorrhizal species the more recently burned area was.

We found both the plant partner Green Skinhead (Cortinarius austrovenetus) and Yellow Funnel Rollrim (Austropaxillus infundibuliformis), and recorded our target species finds in the Deep Creek iNaturalist project. We were also delighted to find many other fun and colourful fungi in the area!

Murraylands and Riverland activities

Another key element of this project is a series of activities in the Murraylands and Riverland region, with partners Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board.

A mallee bioblitz looking for fungi was held in early June at Yookamurra Sanctuary, and the Education team have been testing out the Find our Fungi! resource with school groups. Over the next 3 years we will together develop new resources for schools to test the Fungi for Function approach, as well as seeing if the Fungi for Function survey approach will work in the drier riverland and mallee regions.

Remaining surveys: get involved!

The second survey days for each of our 3 trial sites are coming up (allowing us to capture fungi as they fruit at different times through the season), and more participants are welcomed at each of the following surveys:

• Monday 5th August 10.30am – 3pm – Lobethal
• Saturday 17th August 10.30am – 3pm – Deep Creek
• Saturday 24th August 10am – 2.30pm – Crafers West (rescheduled from Sat 20th July)

To get involved, email Project Coordinator Sophie Green at fungiforfunction@gmail.com and you will be sent a registration link.

For more updates, follow us on instagram @fungiforfunction

Next year we will expand to 10 sites throughout the Mt Lofty Ranges, and hope that citizen scientists will adopt sites so they can witness the changes over different fungi seasons and really get to know the fungi!

This project is a collaboration with many partner organisations including the Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium, Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board, National Parks and Wildlife Service, Trees for Life, Hills Biodiversity, Kersbrook Landcare, Second Nature Conservancy, CSIRO (ALA), University of Adelaide, and the Willunga Environment Centre.

The project is supported by a grant from the South Australian Government’s Citizen Science Fund.